After more than two decades as one of music’s most imaginative projects, Gorillaz finally stepped onto the Saturday Night Live stage for the first time, delivering a performance that connected the group’s past and present.
Appearing as the musical guest on the March 7 episode hosted by Ryan Gosling, the band showcased two tracks that captured the breadth of its creative journey. The set opened with “Clint Eastwood,” the breakout single that introduced the animated band to the world in 2001. The song remains one of the group’s defining works, blending hip hop, electronic music, and alternative rock into a hypnotic groove that helped shape early 2000s alternative culture.
To recreate the track’s original energy, rapper Del the Funky Homosapien joined the performance, delivering the song’s signature verses while Damon Albarn handled the melodic chorus. The moment served as a reminder of how influential the song remains, more than two decades after its debut.
For their second performance, the band shifted focus to the present with “The Moon Cave,” a track from the newly released album The Mountain. The song highlighted the project’s collaborative spirit, bringing together a diverse group of artists including vocalist Asha Puthli, rapper Black Thought, and sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar.
Their appearance offered a glimpse into the broader musical direction of The Mountain, an album shaped by global influences and an ambitious range of collaborators. Drawing inspiration from travels and recording sessions in India, the project incorporates elements of Indian classical music alongside the electronic, pop, and experimental sounds that have long defined the band.
The Saturday Night Live debut also marked a symbolic milestone for Gorillaz. Despite their long career and reputation for visually inventive performances, the group had never previously appeared on the iconic late night program.
By pairing a landmark hit with a bold new release, the band turned the moment into both a celebration of its legacy and a preview of what comes next. With a new album out and tour dates on the horizon, Gorillaz used the opportunity to remind audiences that even after decades of innovation, the project continues to evolve.